Curtain

ABSTRACT

A versatile curtain comprising fabric material having a top edge, bottom edge and two sides. The fabric can be folded or seamed to provide a tubular pocket near the top edge. A set of horizontally spaced and vertically extending loops are provided near the top edge, too, overlying the pocket. A curtain tape extends across the curtain, from side to side edge and preferably forms one side of the pocket. The tubular pocket, large loops and the curtain band for curtain hooks provide a variety of supporting options for the consumer, seeking to support the same on a curtain rod. The top edge of the curtain can also be supported by a set of clips and rings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a highly versatile curtain for use to cover a window, wall, a doorway, even a shower stall or tub. More specifically, the present invention comprises a curtain comprising a plurality of alternative devices for hanging of the same, all of the components for the curtain for vertically hanging the same being provided and integrated into a single product, thereby making it compatible with a variety of hanging components, for example, a hidden horizontal rod, a reveal or partially revealed horizontal rod, a set of conventional curtain hooks, even a set of clips or clasps secured to the top edge of the curtain and having a set of hooks or rings to be supported on a horizontal curtain rod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND DISCLOSURE

The present invention discloses a highly versatile curtain for use in or around a home, office, window, door, even a wall or shower stall or shower-tub configuration. Curtains are generally secured to and held by some horizontal rod or mechanism to prevent the curtain from falling to the ground or dropping to one side. Often the curtain is adapted to be able to slide or move laterally along the horizontal rod. In many cases, a curtain is hung on a horizontally extending rod positioned above the edge of a window, door, even a shower or tub. In other instances, the rod can be releaseably secured to the window or door sill, to the opposed walls or into a shower stall, while in others the horizontal rod or holding mechanism is fixed and secured to extend horizontally. In any event, there are a variety of fabric curtain supporting and moving/sliding mechanisms. The manufacturer of a visually pleasing new curtain desires for the consumer to buy that curtain and to be able to support the same on any one of many potential curtain rods or holding mechanisms. It is uneconomical, however, for each of the same fabric curtain to be inventoried in a retail store with individual supporting mechanisms to accommodate the various support structures, e.g., one for a simple slide-in, horizontal and concealed support rod; one for a slide-in, horizontal and partially revealed support rod (suspending the curtain by loops); one for a curtain intended to be supported by traditional curtain rods which have slides and curtain holding plastic tabs and apertures which cooperate with metallic, curtain hooks, etc. Thus, for a manufacturer of curtains, it is highly desirable to make and sell and to have resold to consumers, curtains which are capable of being supported by any one or more of the conventional support structures or devices which the consumer's residence currently has or will be provided with, at the consumer's preference and option. A curtain which can be suspended by an attractive horizontal rod by sliding rings is desired; a curtain which can be suspended by a hidden round, horizontal rod is desired; a curtain having a band of curtain tape for sliding receipt of conventional curtain hooks is also desired so that the same can be mounted upon curtain rods of the sliding carrier type, i.e., those which slide open and close by operation of a cord.

The present invention comprises a single curtain capable of being hung and supported by a number of hanging mechanisms. Like many curtains, the present invention comprises a series of large vertically-extending loops, horizontally spaced across the top horizontal axis of the curtain. The large vertically-extending loops are adapted to slidingly fit over a horizontal pole or rod, the rod itself otherwise supported in any conventional manner. The large vertical loops are mere extensions of the material of the curtain, so the rod can pass through and under each loop without risk of the loops breaking and the curtain falling. Alternatively, the loops can also be secured around the rod (rather than sliding therethrough) by snaps or buttons. In this way, the loops can be located behind the top edge of the curtain and not be visible to the viewer or, the loops can be snapped near the top edge so that the loops pass through a revealed curtain rod.

The present invention also comprises a pocket-like horizontally-extending cavity which preferably runs across the upper edge of the curtain. The pocket extends either underneath or above the large vertically-extending loops first described above. The pocket or cavity, which includes an opening on either end of the curtain, extends along the back of the curtain so that it is not viewable from the front. Indeed, the cavity or pocket is preferably formed from the same material as that of the front of the curtain, made as a simple fold over the top edge. The horizontal cavity or pocket allows for the curtain to be hung by means of a rod or pole passing into one or the other open end and through the cavity, in a manner quite similar to how the curtain is supported by a rod passing through the loops. However, using the pocket cavity formed in the curtain material, the curtain can be hung so as to substantially conceal the rod. The fold-over pocket or longitudinally extending cavity for sliding receipt of a rod presents a second hanging mechanism for the same curtain using a standard rod, and either can be chosen based solely on the user's preference. Whether the user suspends the curtain by a rod passing through the loops on the back of the curtain or by the hidden horizontal cavity or pocket, the user's preference is preserved.

As yet another alternative to using a rod which passes or slides longitudinally through the material of the present invention by either a pocket or cavity formed in the material or the large vertically-extending loops attached thereto, as described above, curtains are quite often secured to and hung by rings sliding on the horizontal rod. The clean top edge of the present curtain allows for those sliding rings to be clipped or secured to the curtain and, thus, another manner of supporting the curtain is provided. As yet another alternative for supporting the present inventive curtain, it is contemplated that the same be secured by conventional curtain hooks, which can attach on one end to some form of loop, hole, or other connecting means across the horizontal top edge of the curtain, and on the other end the hooks secure to a fixed curtain rod (operated by string to open and close the curtain). Thus, the present invention also comprises a horizontal length of curtain hook-holding “tape” for securing curtain hooks. Each hook can be inserted vertically through a series of small horizontally-extending loops of the tape, extending across the length of the curtain. The curtain hooks (conventionally available) have upwardly extending sharp tips for securing to the top of the curtain and a somewhat-rounded and inverted U-shaped top end for placement in the downwardly extending apertures of the sliding tabs of the conventional sliding curtain rods. Thus, the present invention provides another alternatively available mechanism for supporting a curtain by use of a horizontally extending curtain rod.

The present invention curtain can be suspended or hung by use of curtain clips secured on one end to the top edge of the curtain and rings to be held on a horizontal rod.

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a new inventive vertically suspended curtain, capable of being hung in a variety of ways. Thus, for a consumer, retailer, and the manufacturer, a single visibly aesthetic curtain can be made, bought by the retailer, stored, and sold to a consumer and the same can be hung by any one of the four potential yet all provided holding mechanisms—large loops for a horizontal rod; a longitudinal cavity or pocket for the horizontal rod; conventional curtain hooks held in the curtain tape or band which hooks are then secured into the sliding tabs of the curtain rod, and clips, secured to the top edge of the curtain which are secured on the other end to rings, the rings slidingly held over an attractive horizontal rod.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

There are many styles and types of curtains known in the prior art. These curtains are generally hung to have the top edge extending horizontally. Conventionally, the curtains are meant to be attractive to cover a window, door, opening, tub, even a wall portion. More traditionally, the curtains are secured by large loops or via a hidden, horizontal cavity or pocket in the top edge of the curtain. Conventionally, these curtains represent two different styles of curtain with two different support mechanisms. Both, however, use a horizontally extending support rod. It would be highly efficient for manufacturer, retailer and consumer to be able to make, sell and buy and install, a single curtain, primarily based on the fabric of the curtain, and, yet, for the curtain to be able to be suspended over a bar via rings, with a bar extending through loops of the curtain and/or with conventional curtain hooks for suspending the same from curtain rods with slides having curtain hook capturing apertures of downwardly suspended tab elements.

The present invention allows manufacturers, retailers, and consumers to make, sell, and buy, respectively, a single curtain providing an aesthetic surface and yet allowing the consumer the flexibility to hang the same in any one of four alternative manners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a curtain having a first side which is aesthetically pleasing and a second side which is either the same as the front, the mere back of the front, a lining material of a complementary or different style, or an entirely different back, fabric, plastic sheet, etc. The curtain generally comprises a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposing side edges. The top segment of the curtain is provided with a tubular cavity or rod-holding pocket extending horizontally. The front surface of the pocket is the rear of the material for the curtain but the rear surface of the pocket is made of curtain hook-holding tape. In addition, the top segment of the curtain is provided with several large vertically and downwardly extending loops, the loops secured to the top edge of the material. The large loops are adapted to provide openings for a simple pole or curtain-supporting rod to be passed therethrough. This provides an independent second manner of supporting or suspending the curtain. The small horizontally-extending loops of the horizontally extending curtain tape, one side of which defines the back wall of the pocket, the other side having the small holding loops for curtain hooks, provides another independent mechanism for suspending the curtain. Also, the top edge of the curtain can be straight and is thus capable of being held onto by clips whose upper ends have large rings which can slide over an attractive horizontal cylindrical rod to support the same. Thus, the present inventive curtain is adapted to be hung by a plurality of means all presented by a single aesthetic style for the bulk of the curtain. This provides the consumer with great flexibility as to hanging method and allows the retailer to only “carry” a single style of fabric for the curtain, not several for each style, to accommodate the various hanging methods which a consumer may desire to employ.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial, rear, and enlarged perspective view of the present invention, a curtain having four independent means for suspending the same;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 and focusing the viewer's attention on the large loops;

FIG. 3 is a left side perspective view of the present invention, showing the tubular pocket or cavity of the curtain, formed by the rear of the curtain tape and the rear of the lining of the fabric forming the curtain;

FIG. 4 is a partial, rear elevational view of the present invention, showing a curtain rod passed under and through the large loops for supporting the curtain;

FIG. 5 is a partial, rear, perspective view of the present invention, showing the top edge of the curtain connected on its edge by clips and the clips to sliding rings which are secured over a rod for support;

FIG. 6 is a rear, partial perspective view of the curtain and a support rod having been slidingly passed through the tubular cavity or pocket of the inventive curtain;

FIG. 7 is a rear enlarged and perspective view of the present invention, a curtain, showing the curtain tape secured to the top edge of the rear of the curtain, and showing the vertically spaced rows of small, horizontally-extending loops, the hooks adapted to secure curtain hooks therein and the curtain hooks being securable into a conventional sliding-style curtain rod;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the present invention, a curtain supported by a horizontal rod (passing through the tubular cavity or pocket of the curtain); and

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the present invention, a curtain with support rod passing through the large loops.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Description will now be given of the invention with reference to the attached FIGS. 1-9. It should be understood that these figures are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit the scope of the invention as that will be defined by the claims issued in a U.S. Patent, as interpreted by the Courts.

FIG. 1 discloses a rear, partial and enlarged perspective view of the top segment of the present invention, a highly versatile curtain. Curtain 10 can be made of any fabric, plastic, paper or similar sheet-like material, coated or not, as used for curtains. The fabric can be cloth, velvet, corduroy, chintz, etc. Ordinarily the curtain 10 can be attractive fabric on the outside or front side 11 and either the same material, a liner 13, a plastic, plastic-coated, vinyl liner, second piece of fabric or material 13 on the rear side of the curtain 10. The two layers of material, 11 and 13 can be sewn or seamed together or not. The outside layer or front side 11 of the curtain 10 is usually aesthetically attractive and the inside layer or liner 13 is either the same, similar or a simple fabric protective layer, serving to protect the fabric and/or block light. Curtain 10 is easily defined by an outer layer or front side 11 and an inside layer 13. A top edge 16 and a bottom edge 18 are defined, too, by the usually basically rectangular curtain 10. The side edges 20 extend between the top edge 16 and bottom edge 18. The overall dimensions of the curtain 10, i.e., the length of the top edge 16, the bottom edge 18 and the distance between side edges 20 is determined by the area sought to be covered.

A support rod R is normally horizontally supported between two or more brackets held in a wall, sill or opposed walls. The rod R is intended to suspend the curtain and, where appropriate, allow the curtain 10 to slide thereover. The horizontal support rod R for the curtain 10 is usually located at about six, seven, eight or more feet above the floor so that individuals can easily grasp one end of the curtain and slide it over the rod, to open and close the same or to use a drawstring secured to the curtain rods provided with slide mechanisms into which curtain hooks are held for sliding movement. The overall height of the curtain 10 is usually sufficient to allow the same to extend from the support rod downwardly over the area to be covered (window, wall, door, etc.) and, yet, often the bottom edge will be closely adjacent to but suspended above the floor. According to the present invention, the curtain 10 is provided in overall physical dimensions to be substantially the same as conventional and presently available curtains. The materials and fabrics for the curtains made consistent with the present invention are also intended to match those conventionally made.

The present invention, however, is primarily a new, integrated top edge segment for the curtain 10 which allows for the curtain to be supported by any one of four different mechanisms—all from a horizontally extending rod, pole or curtain rod. In this connection, a curtain rod (hereinafter generically referred to as “a rod”) may be a cylindrical piece of wood, metal or plastic (with sufficient rigidity and strength) to extend between the opposed or adjacent brackets or walls of the space to be “covered” and to provide suspending support to the curtain. The rod R is usually held between the opposing walls of the area or, more likely, between two or more wall-mounted support brackets. The curtain 10 is suspended therefrom to attractive advantage. The rod can be the sole means of support for the curtain, if the rod is used to engage the large loops (described hereafter) or if the rod is slid within the interior pocket of the curtain. The rod can hold a set of rings, too, which are clipped to the top edge of the curtain and the rod can hold conventional curtain hooks which are held to curtain tape secured to the top edge, too, of the curtain.

The present invention, as will be explained, is a totally functional and highly versatile curtain which can be suspended from a rod or conventional curtain rod in any one of four deployments so that the consumer has the choice of which hanging mechanism to employ and, yet, all four mechanisms are allowed to be used by a single curtain, formed consistent with the present invention. By providing four separate components or mechanisms in a single curtain 10 the consumer benefits from having the versatility of selection of which suspension mechanism to use and the manufacturer and retailer also benefit as they need to make and stock, respectively, only one such curtain for each aesthetic fabric on the outside layer and not be concerned with providing multiple curtains for each aesthetic outside layer to accommodate the different manners of suspension possibly desired by the ultimate consumer or user.

The top edge 16 of curtain 10 preferably is provided with one or more large, vertically-extending and horizontally-spaced loops 22 which preferably extend a short distance downwardly from the top horizontal edge 16 of the curtain 10. These large vertically-extending loops 22 can be made of the same material as the curtain 10, or can be made of an alternative fabric or material, but, in any event, a material which is desirably somewhat flexible is desired to allow for them to lie flat during shipping and storage and, yet, when a cylindrical or other rod R is slid through the aligned apertures A of the loops 22, the rod R easily passes therethrough. Thus, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the curtain is provided with a set of aligned large loops 22 which allow the curtain 10 to easily be suspended and supported by a rod R passing therethrough. The rod R is conventionally supported by appropriate brackets.

The plurality of large loops 22 are preferably spaced apart across the top horizontal edge 16 of the curtain 10 and are spaced for ease of sliding placement of the curtain rod therethrough. The rod R is then able to be secured to the supporting brackets (not shown).

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the present inventive curtain 10, showing a tubular pocket 24 or lengthwise running cavity located at the top edge 16 of the curtain 10. This tubular pocket 24 extends along the top edge 16 of the curtain or can be located a small distance therefrom to create a top fringe to the curtain, i.e., some material of the curtain extending above the rod R. The tubular pocket 24 is formed by either a folding over of the material and a seam extending across the curtain 10, from side edge 20 to opposed side edge 20 or by a pair of spaced seams extending across the width of the curtain 10, from side edge to opposed side edge 20. Of course, the diameter of the opening defined by the tubular pocket 24 must be sufficient to allow for the curtain rod R to easily slide into the same. So, of course, the distance between the top edge of the curtain (in the embodiment where the tubular pocket 24 is formed from a simple folding over of the material) to the holding seam or the distance between seams (in the embodiment where the tubular pocket is formed from parallel seams) must accommodate the diameter or dimension of the curtain rod R to allow the same to pass thereover. The use of the cavity or pocket 24 to secure and suspend the curtain 10 is easily understood by review of FIG. 6.

Significantly, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pocket 24 is formed by the rear of the front layer of the curtain or the rear of the liner layer and a length of curtain hook tape, extending along the top edge of the curtain. In FIG. 3, it is seen that the pocket 24 comprises the lined rear of the curtain 10 and one side of the curtain hook tape. This not only creates a pocket 24 for the rod R to slide within but, in addition, as will be described, provides the other side of the curtain hook tape for possible use in the event the user wants to deploy curtain hooks to support the curtain from conventional curtain rods (with slides and drawstrings to move the same).

This tubular pocket or cavity 24 is preferably large enough to easily slidingly allow for a curtain rod R to pass therethrough, so as to hang the curtain from the rod R, without the rod R being substantially seen when the curtain 10 is stretched horizontally across the rod R, either from the far side of the curtain 10 (with outer layer 11 visible) or from the inside 13 of the curtain, i.e., from the perspective of view by one inside the curtained off area. In either situation, the bulk of the length of the horizontal support rod R is hidden within the tubular pocket or cavity 24 of the curtain 10. The tubular pocket or cavity 24 preferably passes through the curtain 10 at or near the top horizontal edge 16 of the curtain 10. Preferably the large vertically-extending loops 22 are spaced and secured to the top and bottom of the curtain tape, used to create the pocket 24 of the curtain 10. This can be seen in FIGS. 1-6. The placement of a curtain rod R through tubular cavity or pocket 24 can be seen in FIG. 6. The length of the curtain rod R is hidden within the tubular pocket or cavity 24, and only the distal ends of the rod R are visible at the point where the rod R secures to opposing walls or brackets.

Provision of a second mechanism for supporting the curtain 10 by use of a horizontal rod, by use of the tubular pocket or cavity 24 in lieu of the large loops 22, is an advance over the prior art and provides versatility to the device. Forming the pocket with curtain tape is synergistic and non-obvious. Which of the supporting mechanisms (pocket for rod or large loops for rod) to be used will be based on a user's preference, an option not generally available in the prior art.

A rear elevational view of the present inventive curtain 10 as would be seen when hung with a curtain rod R through the tubular pocket or cavity 24 is shown in FIG. 6, while a view of the curtain 10 supported by the large loops 22 supporting a curtain rod R is shown in FIG. 4.

In addition to those alternative mechanisms for use in connection with supporting the curtain 10 onto a rod R, another mechanism is provided, too. The present invention also comprises means for support of the curtain 10 to a curtain rod R by use of curtain clips 32, as seen in FIG. 5. Each of these clips have an alligator (toothed) spring-biased closed head 34 (with a mechanism for temporarily opening the same for securement to the top edge of the curtain), a small chain element 36 secured to the head 34, and a holding and small loop of metal 38 securing the other end of the chain element 36 to a wood ring 40. The wood rings 40 slide over the curtain rod R, in conventional manner. The clip 32 is secured to the top edge 16 of the curtain 10 and the wood rings 40 are slid over the rod R prior to securement of the two ends of the rod R into the brackets. Thus, the top edge 16 of the curtain, if provided with clips and associated rings can serve as another alternative mechanism to support the curtain 10 from a horizontal rod R. The set of rings with secured clips, 40 and 32, respectively, can be sold separately from the curtain 10 or integrated together into a single package for sale. This mechanism provides a third manner of supporting the curtain 10, by the top edge 16, by clips extending between the curtain 10 and the rod R.

Additionally, the top segment, preferably extending to the top edge 16, is provided with a horizontally extending fabric curtain tape 50, similar to that used for conventionally now sewn to curtains for use in connection with those curtain rods with sliders and downwardly extending, usually plastic tab elements with apertures for engaging the hooks held by the curtain tape. This tape 50 provides structural strength to the top of the curtain 10 and, preferably, is the rear of the holding pocket 24. It can be seen in FIGS. 1-6 and is enlarged and shown (between adjacent large loops) in FIG. 7. The tape extends across the curtain 10, from side edge 20 to opposed side edge 20, near to the top edge 16. The tape 50 is available in fabric and textile shops. Basically, it is woven and provides a set of one or more horizontally extending rows of laterally extending and spaced small loops 60. Usually, at least two of these loops 60 are stacked one above the other and, often, the loops 60 are provided with three or more stacked loops, with the topmost loop 61 being closely adjacent the top edge 16 of the curtain 10. The loops are intended to slidingly capture a conventional curtain hook H, having a sharp pointed end E, a vertical length V, an inverted U-shaped bight element or turning point U, and an inverted U-shaped bent segment S (See FIG. 7)—the bent segment S being sufficiently large to allow for it to be placed into the apertures of the plastic tabs of the conventional sliding curtain rods so that the curtain can be slid open and closed by use of the side-located drawer strings (in a conventional curtain rod). The pointed end E of the curtain hooks H slides under and upwardly within the lateral loops 60 of the tape 50, the length V of the curtain hook H lying against the tape 50 and the U-shaped bend or turning point U is located towards the bottom edge of the tape 50. Thus, the bent segment S is open downwardly, as seen in FIG. 7, and the curtain hook secured to the tape which is secured to the top edge of the curtain (and comprises the rear of the holding pocket for a rod R) can be secured to the curtain rod having tabs for sliding placement of the curtain. This will also suspend the curtain on a curtain rod. Large and small curtain hooks can be used. Thus, the tape 50 with its set of laterally extending loops 60 provides an easy mechanism for sliding hooks H into the openings of the loops 60, which then can be used to support the curtain 10 from the curtain rod R. This is yet another support mechanism for the curtain to be suspended.

All alternative mechanism provided to the present inventive curtain for suspending the same are integrated into the top segment of the curtain 10. The mechanism to be used by the consumer is entirely based on the choice of the consumer and other available materials—the curtain clips 32, the hooks H, or merely using a rod R by itself.

A highly versatile curtain 10 is thus provided. It allows the consumer to select which mechanism to use for support of the same on a curtain rod R. This then allows a manufacturer and a retailer to make and stock a single fabric or aesthetic curtain and, yet, it has versatility in that it provides a multiple of mechanisms for supporting the same. This provides an advantage to manufacturer, to the retailer and to the consumer.

Conventionally available curtain tape 50 is provided with a large set of horizontally spaced tight loops 70 (closer to top edge 16 of the curtain 10) and larger and horizontally spaced loops 72 (See FIG. 7). The tight loops 70 are primarily for securement of the U-shaped end of the hooks H and the pointed end E. The large loops 72 are adjacent the smaller loops 70 of the vertically aligned set of loops 60 and, generally, can be used with ever larger curtain hooks (not shown).

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular feature or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A curtain for a curtain-supporting rod comprising: a sheet of fabric defining a top edge, bottom edge, and opposed sides, said sheet further comprising: a tubular and longitudinal extending pocket formed from said sheet and near to said top edge, said tubular pocket having one or more side openings extending from one or both of said opposed sides and two or more horizontally-spaced, vertically-extending large loops, secured to said fabric proximal to said top edge, said large loops being sufficiently large to allow said supporting rod to be passed therethrough.
 2. A curtain for a curtain-supporting rod as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a tape of curtain hook-holding material proximal to said top edge and providing a set of horizontally-spaced loops for use with conventional curtain hooks to secure said curtain to a curtain-supporting rod.
 3. The curtain as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fabric is lined.
 4. The curtain as claimed in claim 2, wherein said tubular pocket is formed by one side of said curtain tape.
 5. The curtain as claimed in claim 4, wherein said tubular pocket is overlain by said large loops.
 6. The curtain as claimed in claim 5, wherein said tubular pocket is formed below and recessed from said top edge to provide a small fringe at the top of said curtain.
 7. The curtain as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tubular pocket is overlaid by said vertically-extending large loops.
 8. The curtain as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a curtain tape proximal to said top edge and providing a set of horizontally-spaced loops for use with conventional curtain hooks, to secure said curtain to a curtain-supporting rod, said tape, said large loops and said tubular pocket substantially overlying one another. 